Patch panel cable information detection systems and methods

ABSTRACT

A communications system includes a plurality of patch panels, wherein each patch panel has a plurality of connector ports on a front surface thereof that are each connected to a respective communication line, and one or more optical couplers/connector ports on a rear surface thereof for linking two or more patch panels together. A cable for linking patch panels includes opposite ends and a respective connector at each end that is configured to be removably secured within a respective coupler/connector port on the rear surface. Each connector has an RFID tag attached thereto. An RF antenna is secured to each patch panel adjacent each respective coupler, and each antenna is configured to activate and read information from a cable RFID tag when a cable connector is secured within a coupler adjacent thereto.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/228,122, filed Sep. 8, 2011, which is acontinuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/708,173,filed Feb. 18, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,092,249, which claims thebenefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.61/153,836, filed Feb. 19, 2009, the disclosures of which areincorporated herein by reference as if set forth in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to communications systems and,more particularly, to communications patching systems.

BACKGROUND

Many businesses have dedicated communication systems that enablecomputers, telephones, facsimile machines and the like to communicatewith each other through a private network, and with remote locations viaa communications service provider. In most buildings, the dedicatedcommunications system is hard wired using communication cables thatcontain conductive wire. In such hard wired systems, dedicated wires arecoupled to individual service ports throughout the building. The wiresfrom the dedicated service ports extend through the walls of thebuilding to a communications closet or closets. The communications linesfrom the interface hub of a main frame computer and the communicationlines from external communication service providers may also terminatewithin a communications closet.

A patching system is typically used to interconnect the variouscommunication lines within a communications closet. In a communicationspatching system, all of the communication lines are terminated within acommunications closet in an organized manner. The organized terminationsof the various lines are provided via the structure of thecommunications closet. A mounting frame having one or more racks istypically located in a communications closet. The communications linesterminate on the racks, as is explained below.

Referring to FIG. 1, a typical prior art rack 10 is shown. The rack 10retains a plurality of patch panels 12 that are mounted to the rack 10.On each of the patch panels 12 are located port assemblies 14. Theillustrated port assemblies 14 each contain six optical communicationconnector ports (e.g., SC, ST and LC ports, etc.) 16. Each of thedifferent communication connector ports 16 is hard wired to one of thecommunication lines. Accordingly, each communication line is terminatedon a patch panel 12 in an organized manner. In small patch systems, allcommunication lines may terminate on the patch panels of the same rack.In larger patch systems, multiple racks may be used, wherein differentcommunication lines terminate on different racks.

In FIG. 1, interconnections between the various communication lines aremade using patch cords 20. Both ends of each patch cord 20 areterminated with connectors 22. One end of a patch cord 20 is connectedto a connector port 16 of a first communication line and the oppositeend of the patch cord 20 is connected to a connector port 16 of a secondcommunication line. By selectively connecting the various communicationlines with patch cords 20, any combination of communication lines can beinterconnected.

In large enterprises, the number of patch panels utilized in acommunications system can be quite large. In addition, many enterprisesare currently investing in large internet data centers. As such,manageability of the equipment in a data center/communication closet isbecoming increasingly important. One aspect of manageability that isbeing utilized in many data centers/communication closets is the use ofstructured cabling to interconnect equipment, particularly jumpersinterconnecting patch panels and other equipment.

Conventionally, optical fiber cabling utilized as a jumper is assembledin the field. The cable is pulled from a reel, cut to length, andterminated with field-installed connectors at each end. The terminatedends are then inserted into respective adapters in equipment to beinterconnected. However, the use of preterminated or preassembledcabling is increasingly being utilized to decrease installation time andcost, reduce system downtime and increase cabling reliability andperformance. An additional advantage of preterminated cabling is thatthe skill level required for installation and interconnection ofequipment in data centers/communication closets is lower than forinstallations utilizing field-assembled cabling. Unfortunately, the useof lower-skill installation/maintenance crews may increase the risk ofimproper interconnection of equipment in the field.

SUMMARY

It should be appreciated that this Summary is provided to introduce aselection of concepts in a simplified form, the concepts being furtherdescribed below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is notintended to identify key features or essential features of thisdisclosure, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the invention.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, a communicationssystem includes a plurality of patch panels, wherein each patch panelhas a plurality of connector ports on a front surface thereof and one ormore connector ports, such as optical couplers, etc., on a rear surfacethereof for linking two or more patch panels together. A preterminated(i.e., preassembled, defined length) cable (RJ-type, optical, etc.) isutilized as a jumper to link two of the patch panels via theirrespective connector ports. The cable includes opposite ends with arespective connector at each end that is configured to be removablysecured within a respective optical coupler. In some embodiments, eachconnector of the cable has an RFID tag attached thereto. The RFID tagsfor each respective cable have the same unique identifier storedtherein. According to embodiments of the present invention, no twocables for a respective communications system have the same identifierstored within their respective RFID tags. In some embodiments, each RFIDtag includes transmission, electrical, and/or optical propertyinformation for the cable stored therewithin.

An RF antenna is secured to the rear surface of each patch paneladjacent each of the one or more connector ports. Each antenna isconfigured to activate and read information from an RFID tag when acable connector is secured within a connector port adjacent thereto. Amicroprocessor is configured to selectively energize each antennasecured to a patch panel such that each antenna activates and readsinformation from a cable RFID tag adjacent thereto. The microprocessormay also log cable interconnections with the patch panels, for examplein a database or other data storage. In some embodiments, amicroprocessor is configured to receive transmission, electrical, and/oroptical property information read from a cable RFID tag and isconfigured to adjust power consumption of a communication channelassociated with the respective cable. In some embodiments, each antennafor a respective patch panel is attached to a printed circuit board thatis secured to the rear surface of the patch panel.

In other embodiments of the present invention, a connector at each endof a preterminated cable may utilize other technologies for storing aunique identifier that can be read when the connector is inserted andremoved from an optical coupler or other type of connector port utilizedto link patch panels together. For example, an identification chiphaving a unique identifier (e.g., serial number, serial ID, etc.) and/ortransmission, electrical, and/or optical property information for thecable stored therein may be secured to each connector of a preterminatedcable. A reader associated with a coupler/connector port is configuredto read the information stored on a chip. As another example, opticaltechnology may be utilized to read the actual serial number or otheridentification number, as well as other information displayed on acable. For example, a CCD camera or other optical device may beassociated with a coupler/connector port or multiple couplers/connectorports and may be configured to read an identifier on a cable. Amicroprocessor is in communication with each camera and logs cableinterconnections with the patch panels. In some embodiments, amicroprocessor is configured to receive transmission, electrical, and/oroptical property information read from a cable, and is configured toadjust power consumption of a communication channel associated with therespective cable.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, a communicationssystem includes a plurality of patch panels, wherein each patch panelhas a plurality of connector ports on a front surface thereof and one ormore connector ports on a rear surface thereof for linking two or morepatch panels together. In some embodiments, the rear surface connectorports are optical couplers and the cable connectors are opticalconnectors. In other embodiments, the rear surface connector ports areRJ-type ports and the cable connectors are RJ-type connectors. Apreterminated cable is utilized as a jumper to link two or more of thepatch panels together via their respective rear surface connector ports.The cable includes opposite ends and a respective connector at each endthat is configured to be removably secured within a respective rearsurface connector port.

Each end of the cable has an information chip attached thereto withcable identification information and/or other information, such astransmission, electrical, and/or optical property information for thecable, stored within the chip. A reader is associated with eachrespective rear surface connector port and is configured to readinformation from a cable information chip when a cable connector isinserted into and/or removed from a respective rear surface connectorport. In some embodiments, the cable information chips at each end of acable have the same unique identifier stored therein. A microprocessorin communication with each reader is configured to log cableinterconnections with the patch panels. In some embodiments, amicroprocessor is configured to receive transmission, electrical, and/oroptical property information read from a cable information chip, and isconfigured to adjust power consumption of a communication channelassociated with the respective cable.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, a communicationssystem includes a patch panel having a plurality of connector ports(e.g., optical connector ports, RJ-type connector ports, etc.) whereineach connector port connected to a respective communicationline/channel. A cable (e.g., a patch cord or other type of cable) isconfigured to selectively interconnect pairs of the connector ports andincludes opposite ends and a respective connector secured to each end.Each connector is configured to be removably secured within a connectorport. The cable has transmission, electrical, and/or optical propertyinformation for the cable stored therewithin, and the patch panel isconfigured to read the stored information from the cable when a cableconnector is secured within a connector port. In some embodiments, theinformation is stored on a tag attached to the cable and the patch panelincludes a reader configured to read the information stored on the tag.In some embodiments, the information is displayed on the cable and thepatch panel includes an optical camera configured to read the displayedinformation. In some embodiments, the information is displayed on alabel attached to the cable, and/or engraved into a connector of thecable, and the patch panel includes an optical camera configured to readthe information.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, a communicationssystem includes a plurality of patch panels. Each patch panel has aplurality of connector ports on a front surface thereof, wherein eachconnector port is connected to a respective communication line, and eachpatch panel includes a connector port on a rear surface thereof forlinking the patch panel to another patch panel. A cable is configured tolink two of the patch panels together via their respective rear surfaceconnector ports. The cable includes opposite ends and a respectiveconnector at each end that is configured to be removably secured withina respective rear surface connector port. The cable has informationstored therewithin that includes a cable identifier and transmission,electrical, and/or optical property information for the cable. Eachpatch panel is configured to read the stored information from the cablewhen a cable connector is secured within a connector port. In someembodiments, the information is stored on a tag attached to the cableand the patch panel includes a reader configured to read the informationstored on the tag. In some embodiments, the information is displayed onthe cable and the patch panel includes an optical camera configured toread the displayed information. In some embodiments, the information isdisplayed on a label attached to the cable, and/or engraved into aconnector of the cable, and the patch panel includes an optical cameraconfigured to read the information.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, a method ofreducing or adjusting power consumption in a communications systemincludes reading information stored within a cable connected to a patchpanel connector port, wherein the stored information includestransmission, electrical, and/or optical property information for thecable, and adjusting power consumption of a communication channelassociated with the respective cable, based on the read information.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which form a part of the specification,illustrate various embodiments of the present invention. The drawingsand description together serve to fully explain embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical prior art communication rackassembly containing multiple patch panels with connector ports that areselectively interconnected by patch cords.

FIG. 2 illustrates a communication patching system in which embodimentsof the present invention may be utilized.

FIGS. 3-4 illustrate systems and methods for detecting patch panel cableinformation, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying figures, in which embodiments of theinvention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in manydifferent forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein. Like numbers refer to like elementsthroughout. In the figures, certain layers, components or features maybe exaggerated for clarity, and broken lines illustrate optionalfeatures or operations unless specified otherwise. In addition, thesequence of operations (or steps) is not limited to the order presentedin the figures and/or claims unless specifically indicated otherwise. Inthe drawings, the thickness of lines, layers, features, componentsand/or regions may be exaggerated for clarity and broken linesillustrate optional features or operations, unless specified otherwise.Features described with respect to one figure or embodiment can beassociated with another embodiment of figure although not specificallydescribed or shown as such.

It will be understood that when a feature, such as a layer, region orsubstrate, is referred to as being “on” another feature or element, itcan be directly on the other feature or element or intervening featuresand/or elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element isreferred to as being “directly on” another feature or element, there areno intervening elements present. It will also be understood that, when afeature or element is referred to as being “connected”, “attached” or“coupled” to another feature or element, it can be directly connected,attached or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may bepresent. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being“directly connected”, “directly attached” or “directly coupled” toanother element, there are no intervening elements present. Althoughdescribed or shown with respect to one embodiment, the features sodescribed or shown can apply to other embodiments.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/orcomponents, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or moreother features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groupsthereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and allcombinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Spatially relative terms, such as “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”,“upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description todescribe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) orfeature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that thespatially relative terms are intended to encompass differentorientations of the device in use or operation in addition to theorientation depicted in the figures. For example, if a device in thefigures is inverted, elements described as “under” or “beneath” otherelements or features would then be oriented “over” the other elements orfeatures. Thus, the exemplary term “under” can encompass both anorientation of over and under. The device may be otherwise oriented(rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relativedescriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. Similarly, the terms“upwardly”, “downwardly”, “vertical”, “horizontal” and the like are usedherein for the purpose of explanation only unless specifically indicatedotherwise.

It will be understood that although the terms first and second are usedherein to describe various components, regions, layers and/or sections,these components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limitedby these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component,region, layer or section from another component, region, layer orsection. Thus, a first component, region, layer or section discussedbelow could be termed a second component, region, layer or section, andsimilarly, a second without departing from the teachings of the presentinvention. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will befurther understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly useddictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the specification andrelevant art and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overlyformal sense unless expressly so defined herein. Well-known functions orconstructions may not be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a communication patching system 100, accordingto some embodiments of the present invention, is illustrated. Theillustrated patching system 100 includes a frame 102 configured tosupport equipment mounted thereto in spaced-apart relationship. In theillustrated embodiment, a plurality of communications patch panels 120are mounted to the frame 102 in spaced-apart locations. Embodiments ofthe present invention are not limited, however, to the illustrated frameconfiguration. Frames of any configuration, shape and size may beutilized in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Forexample, frames that support equipment in horizontally spaced-apartrelationship may also be utilized. Likewise, the patch panels 120 neednot be spaced-apart from each other, but instead may be in directcontact with adjacent patch panels.

The illustrated patch panels 120 may be interconnected or linked viapreterminated.optical cabling (jumpers) inserted within optical couplerslocated on the rear of the patch panels 120. FIG. 3 illustrates two ofthe patch panels 120 from FIG. 2 having optical couplers 130 on a rearsurface 121 thereof. A preterminated cable 132 is configured to link thetwo patch panels together when the respective ends 132 a, 132 b areinserted within respective optical couplers 130. Each end 132 a, 132 bof the illustrated cable 132 has a Multi-fiber Push On (MPO) opticalconnector 134. However, cables utilized in accordance with embodimentsof the present invention may have other types of optical connectors.Furthermore, various types of preterminated cables (e.g., copper cables,etc.) may be utilized in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention. Embodiments of the present invention are not limited tooptical cables and connectors. Moreover, embodiments of the presentinvention are not limited to optical cabling and optical couplers forlinking patch panels. Various types of cables and connector ports may beutilized for linking patch panels in accordance with embodiments of thepresent invention without limitation. In addition, embodiments of thepresent invention may be utilized with patch cords utilized tointerconnect connector ports on the front of patch panels with otherconnector ports and/or devices, as would be understood by those skilledin the art.

An RF (Radio Frequency) antenna 140 is secured to each patch panel 120adjacent each respective coupler 130. Each antenna 140 is configured toactivate and read information from an RFID (Radio FrequencyIDentification) tag that is positioned adjacent thereto. The RF antennas140 may be secured to the patch panels 120 in various ways (e.g.,adhesively attached, attached via fasteners, embedded, etc.), as wouldbe known to those skilled in the art. In the illustrated embodiment, theRF antennas 140 are attached to a printed circuit board (PCB) 150 whichis secured to each respective patch panel rear surface 121. The RFantennas 140 may be attached to a surface of the PCB 150, may bedisposed within the PCB 150, or may have one or more portions disposedwithin the PCB 150 and one or more portions on a surface of the PCB 150,as would be understood by those skilled in the art.

The illustrated preterminated cable 132 in FIG. 3 includes a respectiveRFID tag 160 attached to the connector 134 at each respective end 132 a,132 b. In the illustrated embodiment, when a cable connector 134 isattached to a coupler 130 on the rear of a patch panel 120, the RFID tag160 attached to the connector 134 is positioned in close proximity tothe RF antenna 140 associated with the coupler 130.

An RFID tag 160 may be attached in various ways (e.g., adhesivelyattached, etc.) to a respective connector 134, as would be understood bythose skilled in the art. Alternatively, an RFID tag 160 may be embeddedwithin the material of a connector 134, as long as the RFID tag 160 canbe positioned in close proximity to and read by an RF antenna 140 on thePCB 150.

Moreover, RFID tags 160 may be attached to the cable connectors 134 invarious orientations. It is desirable that the electromagnetic fieldlines of an RF antenna 140 penetrate as much of the area of an RFID tag160 as possible. Accordingly, positioning an RFID tag 160 such that theRFID tag 160 can be close to an RF antenna 140 associated with a patchpanel coupler 130 is desirable.

Each RFID tag 160 includes an antenna 162 and a microchip (not shown)which is configured to store various information (e.g., numbers,alphanumeric characters, etc.). According to embodiments of the presentinvention, each RFID tag 160 attached to a respective cable 132 stores aunique identifier (e.g., number, alphanumeric string, etc.), and maystore other information, as well (e.g., cable model number and/or othercable information, such as transmission, electrical, optical propertyinformation, etc.). In other words, the two RFID tags 160 for arespective cable 132 contain the same identifier. However, thisidentifier will be different from the identifiers assigned to othercables 132.

As would be understood by those skilled in the art of the presentinvention, each RFID tag 160 draws power from an RF field created by anRF antenna 140 when the RF antenna 140 is activated. The RFID tag 160uses this power to power the circuits of its microchip to therebytransfer information stored therein.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, RFID tags 160can be factory installed on cables 132. Alternatively, RFID tags 160 canbe retrofitted on cables 132 in the field. When RFID tags 160 arefactory installed, they can be programmed with information thatindicates manufacturing date, operator's ID, factory code, serialnumbers, transmission, electrical, optical property information, etc. Ifan RFID tag has read/write capabilities, then additional informationcould be added to the RFID tag in the field. For example, performancetest data could be added to factory pre-programmed information.

RFID tags 160 that resonate at any frequency may be utilized inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention. RF antennas andtheir use in detecting RFID tags and interrogating RFID tags forinformation are well understood by those of skill in the art and neednot be discussed further herein.

As illustrated in FIG. 3 each PCB 150 attached to the rear of arespective patch panel 120 is in communication with a microprocessor 170(e.g., directly connected, wirelessly connected, etc.). Themicroprocessor 170 may be virtually any type of processor, such as an8-bit processor, and may retain a history of events within memory. Themicroprocessor may be associated with a rack controller (125, FIG. 2) orother device/software that controls the various functions/operations ofthe plurality of patch panels 120 in the communications system 100. Rackcontrollers are well understood by those skilled in the art of patchpanels and need not be described further herein. According to someembodiments of the present invention, the microprocessor 170 isconfigured to selectively energize each antenna 140 on the rear of apatch panel 120 such that each antenna 140 activates and readsinformation from an RFID tag 160 attached to a cable connector 134, ifpresent.

According to some embodiments, the microprocessor 170 is connected toRFID transceiver circuitry (not shown) in each PCB 150, which is in turnconnected to all of the antennas 140 on the PCB 150 by way of amultiplexing device. The multiplexing device, under control of themicroprocessor 170, connects the transceiver circuitry to one and onlyone antenna 140 at any given time. To activate an antenna 140 so as toread tag data from an RFID tag 160 located in proximity to that antenna140, the following sequence is executed by the microprocessor 170. Themicroprocessor 170 configures the multiplexer to establish a connectionbetween the RFID transceiver circuitry on a PCB 150 and the specificRFID antenna 140 on the PCB 150 that is to be activated. Themicroprocessor 170 issues a command to activate the RFID transceivercircuitry, which in turn energizes the selected antenna 140. The RFIDtransceiver circuitry then monitors the antenna 140 to see if a signalfrom an RFID tag is detected. If such a signal is detected, the RFIDtransceiver circuitry demodulates the RFID tag's signal and converts itinto a digital bitstream, which is sent to the microprocessor 170. Themicroprocessor 170 monitors the digital data from the RFID transceivercircuitry until it has received all of the data from an RFID tag 160 inquestion. The microprocessor 170 sends a command to the RFID transceivercircuitry to shut down, which de-energizes the selected antenna 140.

At regular intervals, the microprocessor 170 may send instructions tothe RFID transceiver circuitry on a PCB 150 of a patch panel 120,requesting that it energize each RF antenna 140 associated with arespective coupler 130 to see if an RFID tag 160 is detected. If an RFIDtag 160 is detected, the unique identifier from the RFID tag 160 can berecorded along with an identification of the coupler 130. Thisinformation can be recorded, for example, in a database (or other datastorage) 180 associated with the microprocessor 170. The RF antennas 140on each PCB 150 may be sequentially activated or some other pattern ofactivation may be utilized.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, this recordedinformation may be forwarded to patch panel management software. Thepatch panel management software will eventually receive two messagescontaining the same identifier, and will know that the specifiedcouplers 130 on two respective patch panels 120 sending the message arein fact cabled together. A cabling connectivity database could then beupdated, without need for user intervention.

In a similar manner, if the connector 134 at one or both ends 132 a, 132b of a cable 132 were to be removed from a respective coupler 130,regular polling of the RF antennas 140 by the microprocessor 170, asdescribed above, will detect that an RFID tag 160 was no longer present,and will report the change back to the patch panel management software,which will update a cabling connectivity database accordingly.

Embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the use of RFIDtechnology. Other technologies may be utilized as well. For example, anidentification chip or tag having a unique identifier (e.g., serialnumber, serial ID, etc.) and other information stored therein may besecured to each connector of a preterminated cable. The tag can be, forexample, an integrated circuit that is designed to store information andcommunicate the stored information to a microprocessor (e.g.,microprocessor 170, FIG. 3) or another microprocessor having firmwarethat performs a storage and communication function. The tag includescontact that are connected to a patch panel's circuitry via thesecontacts when a connector is inserted into a connector port/coupler, andthat are used by the patch panel to poll the tag for information. Thepatch panel circuitry associated with a coupler/connector port isconfigured to read the unique identifier stored on the tag.

As another example, optical technology may be utilized to read a serialnumber or other identification number displayed on a cable. For example,a CCD camera or other optical device may be associated with acoupler/connector port or multiple couplers/connector ports and may beconfigured to read information on a cable, such as an identifier,transmission, electrical, optical property information, etc.

This optical technology may utilize a software algorithm to poll forinformation displayed on a cable. A label is printed that containsunique information, such as a serial number. This label could be appliedto the connector in various ways. For example, the label could beengraved into the connector using micro-engraving techniques. The labelcould be printed using a 2D barcode. The label could be printed in colorusing a color palette to encode the data.

A camera (e.g., a CCD, etc.) is attached to a patch panel, or otherwiselocated adjacent to a patch panel, and is used to detect the presence ofa cable, as well as for retrieving information from the cable. Thedetection can be accomplished, for example, by detecting a light sourceor reflection that is changed when a cable is connected to the patchpanel. The information on the label or engraving is read by the cameraand decoded by a microprocessor, for example.

FIG. 4 illustrates patch panels 120 having a camera 300 positionedadjacent each coupler 130. Each camera 300 is configured to detectinsertion of a cable connector 134 into a respective coupler 130. Eachcamera 300 is also configured to capture an image of information 304displayed via label/engraving 302 on a connector 134. Each camera 300 isin communication with a microprocessor 170 that is configured to decodeinformation 304 from an image captured by the camera 300 and to storethe decoded information into data storage (e.g., database 180).Embodiments of the present invention, however, are not limited to asingle camera at each coupler. In some embodiments, a single camera maybe used for multiple couplers.

According to other embodiments of the present invention, each of theabove-described technologies may be utilized to read other types ofinformation stored in patching system cables. For example, in datacenters, there is a current initiative to reduce power consumption. Assuch, cables (including patch cords) utilized in patching systems canstore various information (e.g., transmission, electrical, opticalinformation) for the cable as well as devices to which the cable is tobe connected. For example, this information can be stored in the cablesat the factory. The various information can be read by patch panels andpassed along to the management system for the patching system. Themanagement system for a communications system can analyze a channel(i.e., communication line or link) and configure a switch and/or serverto adjust the power used in the communication channel based oninformation read from one or more cables. This would allow eachcommunication channel to reduce the power needed for transmission to theproper level for this particular channel instead of driving the channelso it works on all combinations of length and transmission variables tomeet a standard. By allowing for variable control of power consumptionby channel, according to embodiments of the present invention,considerable savings in energy costs may be obtained for communicationssystems.

The foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and is not to beconstrued as limiting thereof. Although a few exemplary embodiments ofthis invention have been described, those skilled in the art willreadily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplaryembodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings andadvantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications areintended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined inthe claims. The invention is defined by the following claims, withequivalents of the claims to be included therein.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A communications system, comprising: atleast one patch panel, each patch panel comprising a plurality ofconnector ports, each connector port connected to a respectivecommunication line; and a cable configured to selectively interconnectpairs of the connector ports, wherein the cable comprises opposite endsand a respective connector secured to each end, wherein each connectoris configured to be removably secured within a connector port, andwherein the cable has stored information comprising transmission,electrical, and/or optical property information for the cable and/or fora device connected to the communication line associated with a connectorport, and wherein the patch panel is configured to read the storedinformation from the cable when the cable connector is secured within aconnector port.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the information isstored on a tag attached to the cable and wherein the patch panelcomprises a reader configured to read the information stored on the tag.3. The system of claim 1, wherein the information is displayed on thecable and wherein the patch panel comprises a camera configured to readthe displayed information.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein theinformation is displayed on a label attached to the cable, and/orengraved into a connector of the cable.
 5. The system of claim 3,wherein the information is a 2D barcode displayed on the cable.
 6. Thesystem of claim 3, wherein the information is displayed on a labelattached to the cable, and wherein the information is printed in colorusing a color palette to encode the data.
 7. The system of claim 1,further comprising a microprocessor that is configured to receive thetransmission, electrical, and/or optical property information read fromthe cable and that is configured to adjust power consumption of acommunication channel associated with the respective cable based atleast in part on the information read from the cable.
 8. The system ofclaim 7, wherein the microprocessor is configured to reduce powerconsumption of a communication channel associated with the respectivecable.
 9. A communications system, comprising: at least one patch panel,each patch panel comprising a plurality of connector ports, eachconnector port connected to a respective communication line; a cableconfigured to selectively interconnect pairs of the connector ports,wherein the cable comprises opposite ends and a respective connectorsecured to each end, wherein each connector is configured to beremovably secured within a connector port, and wherein the cable hasstored information comprising transmission, electrical, and/or opticalproperty information for the cable and/or for a device connected to thecommunication line associated with a connector port; and a cameraadjacent the patch panel and configured to read the stored informationfrom the cable when the cable connector is secured within the connectorport.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the information is stored on atag attached to the cable and wherein the patch panel comprises a readerconfigured to read the information stored on the tag.
 11. The system ofclaim 9, wherein the information is displayed on the cable and whereinthe camera is configured to read the displayed information.
 12. Thesystem of claim 11, wherein the information is displayed on a labelattached to the cable, and/or engraved into a connector of the cable.13. The system of claim 11, wherein the information is a 2D barcodedisplayed on a label attached to the cable.
 14. The system of claim 11,wherein the information is displayed on a label attached to the cable,wherein the information is printed in color using a color palette toencode the data.
 15. The system of claim 9, further comprising amicroprocessor that is configured to receive transmission, electrical,and/or optical property information read from the cable and that isconfigured to adjust power consumption of the communication channelassociated with the respective cable.
 16. The system of claim 15,wherein the microprocessor is configured to reduce power consumption ofthe communication channel associated with the respective cable.